2010 Food as Art at Bell Harbor features Seattle Area Black Executive Chefs and Restaurateurs Serving Up A Delicious Cultural Arts Fundraiser
Seattle, WA ?CD Forum?s 2010 Food as Art at Bell Harbor takes place Saturday, April 10, 2010, celebrating the outstanding talent and diversity of Seattle?s Black culinary community. Presented by the Central District Forum for Arts & Ideas (CD Forum) as its primary fundraiser, 2010 Food as Art at Bell Harbor showcases 14 accomplished local Black Executive Chefs and Restaurateurs serving up an elegant evening of food, wine, auctions and dancing at Seattle?s Bell Harbor International Promenade.
Consistent with CD Forum?s mission to challenge the definition of what it means to be Black, the spectacular menu features not only the soul-warming Southern cooking historically associated with Black chefs, but a wide array of culinary perspectives, including Mediterranean, Caribbean, French, Vegan, African, Spanish and Italian.
?The CD Forum is at the forefront of engaging Blacks and Seattle at-large, through the humanities and performing arts,? said Kumani Gantt, CD Forum Executive Director, ?and Food as Art is no exception. It's a celebration of Seattle's wonderful culinary talent and true to the CD Forum's vision to challenge assumptions about Black culture, our chefs present a diverse array of culinary perspectives.?
Food as Art generates nearly $100,000 each year for the CD Forum, a hefty percentage of the organization?s modest operating budget. The proceeds from this event expand CD Forum?s ability to offer inspirational performing arts, readings, lectures and discussions about the Black experience in America.
?The success of this year?s event is critical to CD Forum?s ability to sustain its artistic and humanities programming for the community, as well as a platform to showcase the culinary arts of Black executive chefs in the Seattle area,? said Lynda Greene, 2010 Event Chair of 2010 Food as Art at Bell Harbor.
For the first time, this year?s menu was curated, by Andaluca?s renowned Executive Chef Wayne Johnson, to ensure a wonderfully balanced culinary experience. The lineup includes a pair of ?Iron Chefs?, as featured on the Food Network ? Campagne Executive Chef Daisley Gordon and Osteria La Spiga Executive Chef Sabrina Tinsley.
In addition, featured dishes/cuisines include vegan by Makini Howell (Plum Bistro and Sage Café), Brazilian by Graça Ribeiro (Tempero do Brasil), Caribbean by Theo Martin (Island Soul), Pan-African by Mulugeta Abate (Pan Africa Market), along with several more outstanding chefs.
?So many people have described Food as Art as one of the best parties in Seattle,? Gantt added. ?It's a great way to have a fun and entertaining evening, sample the sumptuous fare of many great chefs, and support the work of the CD Forum. It?s not to be missed!?
2010 Food as Art at Bell Harbor also features two guest chefs from the Culinary Wonders USA program, which cultivates minorities in the culinary arts fields. This year?s guest chefs are Erika Davis from The Ponte Vedra Inn & Club in Florida, and Shawn Lightfoot from Liquid Lounge and Restaurant in Washington, D.C.
During the opening VIP reception, Donna Moodie (marjorie) will provide appetizers and cocktails will be conjured up by mixologist David Nelson (Tavern Law). Later in the evening guests can look forward to a special dessert auction is being crafted by executive pastry chef Sachia Tinsley of Wild Ginger, tea samplings by Tea Maven Tracy Knight Shafer of T(ea) Gallery, and coffee generously provided by Coffee Rwanda.
Later in the program, local auctioneer Lance Lambert will preside over a dessert auction and a live auction featuring travel, dining and art items including a trip to New York City and tickets to the Broadway hit Fela!. The evening will conclude with two hours of music and dancing with host DJ Hitmann, giving attendees a full evening of cultural entertainment.
The CD Forum is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to present and produce Black cultural programs that encourage thought and debate for the greater Seattle area. Our vision is to inspire new thoughts and challenge assumptions about Black Culture.
For more information, visit www.cdforum.org or call 206-323-4032.
About Bell Harbor International Conference Center
Bell Harbor International Conference Center is Seattle?s premier waterfront conference venue, with 18 meeting rooms totaling 98,387 square feet and capacity for up to 6,000 guests. Bell Harbor is equipped with state-of-the art technology and amenities, and provides the finest service and cuisine. The Port of Seattle owns Bell Harbor International Conference Center, which Seattle-based Columbia Hospitality manages and operates.
Additional Information about 2010 Food as Art at Bell Harbor: April 10, 2010 at 6pm -11pm VIP Reception, Dinner & Program. Visit http://www.cdforum.org/?p=1588 for more information.
Tickets: $125 for general admission and $175 VIP. Buy tickets by April 2nd. Tickets are available online at Brown Paper Tickets, http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/93050 or by calling 206 323 4032 ext 116. Tickets will not be sold at the door.
Social Media: Please follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/FoodAsArt and on the CD Forum?s Facebook Fan Page.
This program was made possible by the generous support of Bell Harbor International Conference Center, Casey Family Programs, Microsoft, K&L Gates, Nordstrom, Pacific Medical Centers, SengWare, and Alaska Airlines
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